Bauchi elections declared inconclusive – INEC

The governorship election of Bauchi State has been declared inconclusive.

The Returning Officer for the state, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, made the announcement at exactly 12:00 am on Monday morning.

Kyari said that the total registered voters were 2,323,603 while the accredited voters stood at 1, 056,729.

According to Kyari, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Bala Mohammed got 469,512 votes to defeat his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress Candidate, incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who came very close with 465,453 votes.

Prof Kyari added that the total valid votes are 1,026,901, rejected votes are 21,419 while the total votes cast are 1,048,220.

Prof. Mohammed Kyari of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa state, gave three reasons for his action.

He said: “First, that the margin of lead between the PDP and APC Candidates is 4,059 votes. Secondly, the number of cancelled votes even without that of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area which he had earlier cancelled was 45,312.

“Thirdly, the total number of registered voters in the affected areas are 139,240.”

The Returning Officer further added that: “Therefore, based on Section 26 Part 53 of the Electoral Act, I hereby declare this result inconclusive.”

However, he, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state to immediately conduct a re-run in the affected areas within 21 days. The results of 19 out of 20 LGAs were so far announced by the various Collation Officers.